Author tells local WWII POW's story in book

Published: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 9:50 p.m.

Author Ed Nielsen could barely hide his excitement as he talked about sessions spent with local World War II veteran Gene Carman.

Nielsen spent nearly a year meeting with Carman, and put the finishing touches on the former POW's story in October. The book, “Assault on Avignon,” details much of Carman's two years in the U.S. Army during the war.

The primary focus, however, is the 11-day stretch when Carman was shot down behind enemy lines, injured, captured by Germans — who fended off two onslaughts from the French — and finally rescued by American forces.

Once he was rescued, the commanding officer at the German prison surrendered to Carman, who was a 2nd lieutenant at the time.

During the war, Carman, now 94, was a navigator/bombardier on a B-25. He was stationed in Italy on the Island of Corsica. His B-25 flew 38 missions over Italy and southern France before being shot down.

One coincidental connection between Carman and Nielsen is the date of the veteran's first flight. Carman's first flight took place on June 2, 1944, the day Nielsen was born. Their introduction, which took place at lunch with a mutual friend, seemed like fate.

Writing the book with the veteran was an honor, Nielsen said, adding that he was “mesmerized.”

“Fortunately, I had my tape recorder going,” he joked.

This, however, wasn't the first time Nielsen has told the story of war from the perspective of soldiers who lived through it. His first book, “Warriors,” was filled with nine first-person accounts of the Vietnam War.

Nielsen retired to Henderson County in 1999 from Atlanta. He worked for the U.S. Civil Service with the Department of Defense. He spent those years writing — not only books, but also articles for a now-closed tabloid, “Prime Times.”

His recent work, “Assault on Avignon,” includes an addendum by HonorAir creator Jeff Miller. Carman, also a Henderson County resident, was able to go on the first HonorAir trip.

The real honor, however, is that the book creates a record of Carman's experiences as a POW, Neilsen said. Carman said he was excited when he finally held the book in his hands.

“It's in a sense kind of hard for me to grasp,” the veteran said.

The book is available on www.Amazon.com.

Millwood can be reached at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.

<p>Author Ed Nielsen could barely hide his excitement as he talked about sessions spent with local World War II veteran Gene Carman. </p><p>Nielsen spent nearly a year meeting with Carman, and put the finishing touches on the former POW's story in October. The book, “Assault on Avignon,” details much of Carman's two years in the U.S. Army during the war. </p><p>The primary focus, however, is the 11-day stretch when Carman was shot down behind enemy lines, injured, captured by Germans — who fended off two onslaughts from the French — and finally rescued by American forces.</p><p>Once he was rescued, the commanding officer at the German prison surrendered to Carman, who was a 2nd lieutenant at the time. </p><p>During the war, Carman, now 94, was a navigator/bombardier on a B-25. He was stationed in Italy on the Island of Corsica. His B-25 flew 38 missions over Italy and southern France before being shot down. </p><p>One coincidental connection between Carman and Nielsen is the date of the veteran's first flight. Carman's first flight took place on June 2, 1944, the day Nielsen was born. Their introduction, which took place at lunch with a mutual friend, seemed like fate. </p><p>Writing the book with the veteran was an honor, Nielsen said, adding that he was “mesmerized.”</p><p>“Fortunately, I had my tape recorder going,” he joked. </p><p>This, however, wasn't the first time Nielsen has told the story of war from the perspective of soldiers who lived through it. His first book, “Warriors,” was filled with nine first-person accounts of the Vietnam War.</p><p>Nielsen retired to Henderson County in 1999 from Atlanta. He worked for the U.S. Civil Service with the Department of Defense. He spent those years writing — not only books, but also articles for a now-closed tabloid, “Prime Times.”</p><p>His recent work, “Assault on Avignon,” includes an addendum by HonorAir creator Jeff Miller. Carman, also a Henderson County resident, was able to go on the first HonorAir trip.</p><p>The real honor, however, is that the book creates a record of Carman's experiences as a POW, Neilsen said. Carman said he was excited when he finally held the book in his hands. </p><p>“It's in a sense kind of hard for me to grasp,” the veteran said.</p><p>The book is available on www.Amazon.com. </p><p>Millwood can be reached at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>